In a stunning display of resilience and survival, Nepali rescuers have successfully extracted two men alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project tunnel. The rescue comes nine days after a catastrophic flash flood tore through the Trishuli River corridor, causing widespread destruction across central Nepal. The survivors have been identified as 45-year-old mechanical supervisor Kabir Maharjan and 30-year-old foreman Sanjay Sah.

The disaster was triggered on August 26 by a massive ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border. The resulting surge of water and debris inundated hydropower sites and devastated local communities. The Nepal Army and Armed Police Force have been working tirelessly with specialized equipment to navigate the treacherous conditions inside the long tunnel.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the scale of this disaster highlights the extreme vulnerability of hydropower infrastructure in the Himalayan region. As climate change accelerates glacial melting and unpredictable weather patterns, the risk to both human life and critical energy infrastructure in Nepal continues to escalate significantly.

The survival of these two men against all odds serves as a beacon of hope amidst a landscape of immense tragedy.

Sanjay Sah, a resident of the Saptari district, shared a harrowing account of his survival. He explained that he remained in the control room to ensure others could escape safely. "My responsibility was to save everyone's life," Sah told medical teams. He revealed that during the terrifying days of isolation, he stayed mentally focused by reciting mantras while waiting for help.

The emotional toll on the families has been immense. Hira Shobha, wife of Kabir Maharjan, described the agonizing wait, noting that the family could neither eat nor sleep. She credited the rescue teams for risking their own lives to grant her husband a "second life."